This Day in Beatle History

May 10

2011 (May 10) - Iron Gates on Strawberry Fields Removed

The ornate iron gates of a children’s home which inspired John Lennon’s psychedelic Beatles anthem Strawberry Fields Forever were removed after The Salvation Army, which owned the former home, decided to put the red Victorian gates into storage. Beatles fans who passed the Liverpool site on tours would now be met with 10ft (3m) high replicas. The original gates were being taken to a secret location for storage, and would eventually be auctioned off.

May 11

1936 (May 11) - Beatles Press Officer Tony Barrow Born

Tony Barrow, who worked as The Beatles’ press officer between 1962 and 1968. He coined the term ‘The Fab Four’ to describe the band and also wrote sleeve notes for their early albums, as well as the strip cartoon for the Magical Mystery Tour booklet. Barrow died on 14th May 2016 aged 80.

1962 (Jun 6) - First Beatles Recordings at What Will Become 'Abbey Road'

The first Beatles recording session took place at EMI studios. The group recorded four tracks, one of which was ‘Love Me Do’ the four musicians received payments for the session of £7.10 ($12.07) each.

1963 (May 11) - Beatles Begin 30 Weeks At #1 on UK Album Charts

The Beatles started a 30 week run at No.1 on the UK album charts with their debut album ‘Please Please Me’, making it the longest running No.1 album by a group ever. The bands follow up ‘With The Beatles’ replaced it at the top of the charts on 7th December 1963 and stayed there for 21 weeks.

1964 (May 11) - US EP Release of 'Four By The Beatles'

Capitol issues the US release of the EP ‘Four By The Beatles’.

1965 (May 11) - Last Day Filming for Help!

The last day of filming Help! takes place at Clivedon Hall in Berkshire.

1966 (Feb 18) - Brian Wilson Finishes 'Good Vibrations'

Beach Boy Brian Wilson finished recording the future classic song ‘Good Vibrations’, which went on to become the band’s third US number-one hit. As a child, his mother told him that dogs could pick up “vibrations” from people, so that the dog would bark at “bad vibrations” Wilson turned this into the general idea for the song.